Erectile dysfunction can be truly devastating for a man. It can make them very anxious as they are not able to perform any more and they worry that they may even lose their partner. ED is a big problem – around 30 million men suffer from this problem in the United States alone.

While it is true that sexual performance diminishes with age there are many younger men who have problems with ED. Let’s start of by taking a look at what erectile dysfunction actually is.

What is Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is a condition that affects a man’s ability to become erect, maintain an erection or achieve an ejaculation. A common term for this problem is impotence. We will discuss what causes erectile dysfunction a little later but it is important to know that ED is more likely to happen to a man once he reaches his 40th birthday.

Men that lead healthier lifestyles are less likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction. These men tend to have more knowledge about how their lifestyle can affect their sexual performance and take the necessary steps to avoid suffering from ED.

What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?

A common cause of erectile dysfunction is endocrine diseases. This is because the endocrine system creates the hormones that are necessary to regulate sexual function, mood and reproduction as well as other areas.

One of the most common endocrine diseases is diabetes. If the diabetes is chronic then nerve damage can result and this can severely affect the sensations in the penis. Diabetes plays havoc with your hormone levels and can impair blood flow.

Nerve disorders and neurological conditions can significantly increase the risk of erectile dysfunction. If there is a problem with the communication between your brain and your reproductive system then you may not be able to achieve an erection.

You also need to be careful about what medications you take. Certain medications can have a negative effect on blood flow and you are more likely to suffer with ED. What kind of medications can cause ED?

Beta blockers such as metoprolol or carvedilol

Depressants such as valium, xanax and codeine

Stimulants for the nervous system such as amphetamines or cocaine

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) such as Paxil and Prozac

Alpha adrenergic blockers such as Flomax

And more…

If you are in doubt about any medications and erectile dysfunction then consult your doctor first.

If you have a cardiac condition which affects the heart’s ability to pump blood correctly then you can suffer from erectile dysfunction as there is not enough blood circulating for an erection. High blood pressure is a common problem and so is high cholesterol.

What’s about emotional disorder

Another common cause of ED is an emotional disorder. Achieving an erection requires a degree of excitement and emotion. If you are suffering with an emotional disorder then your chances of achieving an erection can diminish.

Your chances of suffering from it will be higher if you are suffering from anxiety or depression. If you are depressed then you will be feeling sad, feel helpless and be low on hope. These are not conducive to achieving a strong erection.

Smoking and alcohol consumption are also detrimental to achieving an erection. Stopping smoking or at least cutting back will improve your chances of avoiding this desease. Do everything that you can to avoid excessive alcohol consumption as well.

Natural Remedies for Erectile Dysfunction

If you are looking for a natural treatment for ED then you should concentrate on herbs and plants. For centuries herbs and plants have cured erectile dysfunction in some cultures. There are very few scientific studies about natural remedies so there may be some mild or even severe side effects from using them.

Ginseng and Ginkgo

One of the most commonly used natural remedies for erectile dysfunction is ginseng. A lot of people that have used ginseng have reported that it has really helped their ED problem. There are a number of ginseng types available so be careful which one you choose as not all of them will have the desired effect and some can cause insomnia.

Another popular natural treatment for ED is ginkgo. This is because ginkgo can increase the flow of blood to the penis and this increases sexual desire. In rare cases ginkgo has caused bleeding and people who are taking any form of blood thinning medication should avoid it.

Next we have yohimbine which is essentially tree bark found in Africa. Although a lot of people have reported good things about yohimbine when it comes to ED you should be cautious about taking it. It can cause high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat or anxiety. Speak with your doctor first before taking yohimbine.

L-arginine and Dhea

Another plant based natural treatment for ED is L-arginine. This supplement works by making the blood vessels open wider so that your penis will receive more blood. There can be some mild side effects such as nausea, cramps and diarrhea and you should not take L-arginine if you are using Viagra.

If you are taking Viagra then there is some evidence to suggest that taking propionyl-L-carnitine alongside it can improve the symptoms of ED, and work better than just taking Viagra on its own. Talk to your doctor about this if you are in any doubt but propionyl-L-carnitine should be pretty safe.

A natural hormone produced by your adrenal glands is dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). This hormone can convert into testosterone which can assist with ED. If you have a low level of DHEA then you are more likely to suffer with ED.

You can obtain DHEA as a dietary supplement. In a study of 40 men suffering from ED, half of the participants received 50mg of DHEA on a daily basis for 6 months and the other half received placebos. Those that took the DHEA reported improvements in achieving erections.

One natural treatment that does not include herbs or plants but is certainly worth considering is acupuncture. There is always divided opinion over acupuncture but in a 1999 study on acupuncture and ED, erection quality and sexual activity improved for 39% of participants that had acupuncture treatment.

The thing is that acupuncture may be the right treatment for you to help with your erectile dysfunction problem. There are no known side effects if you get your treatment from a licensed acupuncturist.

Home Remedies for Erectile Dysfunction

There are a number of home remedies for erectile dysfunction that you can use to improve your sex life. A lot of these home remedies are very easy to implement as they items that most homes will have.

Garlic and Onion

The first of these home remedies for erectile dysfunction is garlic. You may have heard before that garlic is a sexual rejuvenator and many people swear by it as a natural treatment for ED.

This home remedy is not for everyone though as it requires you to chew between 2 and 3 cloves of raw garlic every day. If you can persist with this then you have a good chance of improving your ED. If you prepare your garlic with whole grains apparently this will improve your sperm count as well.

The second of our home remedies for erectile dysfunction is the common onion. Did you know that onion is a libido enhancer and effective aphrodisiac? Get a white onion and peel and crush it. Then you will need to fry it in butter. Eat this when you have had an empty stomach for at least two hours and use a spoon of honey to make it more enjoyable.

Carrot and Ginger

The next home remedy for ED is the carrot. Many cultures believe that carrots are a good way to cure erectile dysfunction. Finely chop 150 grams of carrots and take them with a honey (a tablespoon) and a half boiled egg. You need to do this every day for a couple of months to start seeing the benefits.

Next on our list of home remedies is asparagus. Asparagus dried roots (sometimes called white musli) are supposed to be a great aphrodisiac. Just take 15 grams of dried asparagus roots and boil with milk. Take this mixture every day to improve your ED and even prevent premature ejaculation.

Ginger can work wonders for your ED. It is the juice extracted from ginger that provides the magic. So get your hands on some ginger juice and consume half a teaspoon with a half boiled egg. Do this daily for a month and you should see improvements with your ED.

Exercise for Erectile Dysfunction

Exercise is a great natural treatment for ED. Regular exercise will help you to avoid erectile dysfunction or reverse it if you are already suffering from it. One of the main reasons that exercise is so effective is because it will improve your blood flow. Exercise can also increase testosterone production which is a major contributor to the strength of your erection.

You can improve your chances of avoiding ED or reversing it by simply walking a couple of miles each day. There is no need to run just walk briskly and you will do a lot of good. Anything that will help to reduce your weight is good for combating erectile dysfunction.

Use kegel exercises to improve your ED. These exercises will strengthen your pelvic floor muscles which in turn will improve your sexual health. Your penis will engorge with blood a lot easier so you will be able to achieve an erection and maintain it.